Chapter V: Part III: 20 (3)

Of old the Lord God banished from the garden of Eden our first parents after their disobedience, when they had dulled the eye of their heart through their sin, and weakened their mind's discernment, and had fallen into death-like apathy. But, now, shall not paradise receive her, who broke the bondage of all passion, sowed the seed of obedience to God and the Father, and was the beginning of life to the whole human race? Will not heaven open its gates to her with rejoicing? Yes, indeed. Eve listened to the serpent, adopted his suggestion, was caught by the lure of false and deceptive pleasure, and was condemned to pain and sorrow, and to bear children in suffering. With Adam she received the sentence of death, and was placed in the recesses of Limbo. How can death claim as its prey this truly blessed one, who listened to God's word in humility, and was filled with the Spirit, conceiving the Father's gift through the archangel, bearing without concupiscence or the co-operation of man the Person of the Divine Word, who fills all things, bringing Him forth without the pains of childbirth, being wholly united to God? How could Limbo open its gates to her? How could corruption touch the life-giving body? These are things quite foreign to the soul and body of God's Mother. Death trembled before her. In approaching her Son, death had learnt experience from His sufferings, and had grown wiser. The gloomy descent to hell was not for her, but a joyous, easy, and sweet passage to heaven. If, as Christ, the Life and the Truth says: 'Wherever I am, there is also my minister,' how much more shall not His mother be with Him? She brought Him forth without pain, and her death, also, was painless. The death of sinners is terrible, for in it, sin, the cause of death, is sacrificed. What shall we say of her if not that she is the beginning of perpetual life. Precious indeed is the death of His saints to the Lord God of powers. More than precious is the passing away of God's Mother. Now let the heavens and the angels rejoice: let the earth and men be full of gladness. Let the air resound with song and canticle, and dark night put off its gloom, and emulate the brightness of day through the scintillating stars. The living city of the Lord God is assumed from God's temple, the visible Sion, and kings bring forth His most precious gift, their mother, to the heavenly Jerusalem,--that is to say, the apostles constituted princes by Christ, over all the earth, accompany the ever virginal Mother of God.

It seems to me not superfluous to bring forward and insist on the past types of this holy one, the Mother of God. These types succinctly announced the Divine Child whom we have received. I look upon His Mother as the saint of saints, the holiest of all, the fragrant urn for the manna, or rather, to speak more truly, the fountain taking its rise in the divine and far-famed city of David, in Sion the glorious; in it the law is fulfilled and the spiritual law is portrayed. In Sion, Christ the Law-giver consummated the typical pasch, and God, the Author of the old and the new dispensation, gave us the true pasch. In it the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, initiated His disciples unto His mystical feast, and gave them Himself slain as a victim, and the grape pressed in the true vine. In Sion, Christ is seen by His apostles, risen from the dead, and Thomas is told, and through Thomas the world, that He is Lord and God, having in Himself two natures after His resurrection, and consequently two operations, independent wills, enduring for all ages. Sion is the crown of churches, the resting-place of disciples. In it the echo of the Holy Spirit, the gift of tongues, His fiery descent are transmitted to the apostles. In it St John, taking the Mother of God, ministered to her wants. Sion is the mother of churches in the whole world, who offered a resting-place to the Mother of God after her Son's resurrection from the dead. In it, lastly, the Blessed Virgin was stretched on a small bed.

When I had reached this point of my discourse, I was obliged to give vent to my own feelings, and burning with loving desire, to shed reverent yet joyful tears, embracing, as it were, the bed so happy and blest and wondrous, which received the life-giving tabernacle and rejoiced in the contact of holiness. I seemed to take into my arms that holy and sacred body itself, worthy of God, and pressing my eyes, lips, and forehead, head, and cheeks to hers, I felt as if she was really there, though I was unable to see with my eyes what I desired. How, then, was she assumed to the heavenly courts? In this way. What were the honours then conferred upon her by God who commands us to honour our parents? The cloud which enclosed Jerusalem as with a net, by the divine commands, brought together eagles from the ends of the earth, those who are spread over the world, fishing for men in the various and numerous tongues of the spirit. By the net of the word they are saving men from the abyss of doubt and bringing them to the spiritual and heavenly table of the sacred and mystical banquet, the perfect marriage feast of the Divine Bridegroom, which the Father celebrates with His Son, who is equal to Himself and of the same nature. 'Where the spirit is,' says Christ the Truth, 'there shall the eagles be gathered together.' If we have already spoken concerning the second great and splendid coming of Him who spoke these words, it will not be out of place here by way of condiment.

Eye-witnesses, then, and ministers of the word were there, duly ministering to His Mother, and drawing from her a rich inheritance, as it were, and a full measure of praise. For is it a matter of doubt to any one that she is the source of blessing and the fountain of all good? Their followers and successors also were there, joining in their ministry and in their praise. A common labour produces common fruits. A chosen band from Jerusalem were there. It was fitting that the foremost men and prophets of the old law, they who had foretold God the Word's saving birth of her in time, should be there as a guard of honour. Nor did the angelic choirs fail. They who obeyed the king heartily ({~GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA U+03ba~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA U+03b1~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU U+03c4~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA U+03b1~} {~GREEK SMALL LETTER GAMMA U+03b3~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER NU U+03bd~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA U+03c9~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER MU U+03bc~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ETA U+03b7~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER NU U+03bd~}), and consequently were honoured by standing near Him, had the right to serve as a body-guard to His Mother, according to the flesh, the truly blessed and blissful one, surpassing all generations and all creation. All those were with her who are the brightness and the shining of the spirit, with spiritual eyes fixed upon her in reverence, and fear, and pure desire.

We hear divine and inspired words, and spiritual canticles appropriate to the parting hour. On this account it was meet to praise His boundless goodness, His immeasurable greatness, His omnipotence, the generosity surpassing all measure in His dealings with us, the overflowing riches of His mercy, the abyss of His tenderness; how, putting aside His greatness, He descended to our littleness with the co-operation of the Father and the Holy Spirit. Again, the supersubstantial One is supersubstantially created in the virginal womb. Being God He became man, and remains according to this union perfect God and perfect man, not giving up the substance of His Godhead nor ceasing to be of the same flesh and blood as we are. He, who fills all things and governs the universe with one word, took up His abode in a narrow place, and the material body of this blessed one received the burning fire of the Godhead, and as genuine gold it remained intact. This has taken place because God willed it, since His good pleasure makes things possible which could not happen without it. Then followed a strife of praise, not as if each was seeking to outdo the other--for this is vainglorious and far from pleasing to God--but as if they would leave nothing undone for the glory of God and the honour of God's Mother.

Then Adam and Eve, our first parents, opened their lips to exclaim, 'Thou blessed daughter of ours, who hast removed the penalty of our disobedience! Thou, inheriting from us a mortal body, hast won us immortality. Thou, taking thy being from us, hast given us back the being in grace. Thou hast conquered pain and loosened the bondage of death. Thou hast restored us to our former state. We had shut the door of paradise; thou didst find entrance to the tree of life. Through us sorrow came out of good; through thee good from sorrow. How canst thou who art all fair taste of death? Thou art the gate of life and the ladder to heaven. Death is become the passage to immortality. O thou truly blessed one! who that is not the Word could have borne what thou hast borne?'[40]

All the company of the saints exclaimed, 'Thou hast fulfilled our predictions. Thou hast purchased our present joy for us. Through thee we have broken the chains of death. Come to us, divine and life-giving receptacle. Come, our desire, thou who hast gained us our desire.'

And the saints standing by added their no less burning words: 'Remain with us, our comfort, our sole joy in this world. O Mother leave us not orphans who have suffered on thy Son's account. May we have thee as a refuge and refreshment in our labours and weariness. Thou canst remain if thou so willest, even as thou canst depart hence. If thou departest, O dwelling-place of God, let us go too, if we are thine through thy Son. Thou art our sole consolation on earth. We live as long as thou livest, and it is bliss to die with thee. Why do we speak of death? Death is life to thee, and better than life--incomparably exceeding this life. How is our life--life, if we are deprived of thee?'

The apostles and all the assembly of the Church may well have addressed some such words to the blessed Virgin. When they saw the Mother of God near her end and longing for it, they were moved by divine grace to sing farewell hymns, and wrapt out of the flesh, they sighed to accompany the dying Mother of God, and anticipated death through intensity of will. When they had all satisfied their duty of loving reverence and had woven her a rich crown of hymns, they spoke a parting blessing over her, as a God-given treasure, and the last words. These, I should think, were significant of this life's fleetingness, and of its leading to the hidden mysteries of future goods.

This, it appears to me, is what they did at once and unanimously. The King was there to receive with divine embrace[41] the holy, undefiled, and stainless soul of His Mother on her going home. And she, as we may well conjecture, said, 'Into Thy hands, O my Son, I commend my spirit. Receive my soul, dear to Thee, which Thou didst keep spotless. I give my body to Thee, not to the earth. Guard that which Thou wert pleased to inhabit and to preserve in virginity. Take me to Thyself, that wherever Thou art, the fruit of my womb, there I too may be. I am impelled to Thee who didst descend to me. Do Thou be the consolation of my most cherished children, whom Thou didst vouchsafe to call Thy brethren, when my death leaves them in loneliness. Bless them afresh through my hands.' Then stretching out her hands, as we may believe, she blessed all those present, and then she heard the words: 'Come, my beloved Mother, to thy rest. Arise and come, most dear amongst women, the winter is past and gone, the harvest time is at hand.[42] Thou art fair, my beloved, and there is no stain in thee. Thy fragrance is sweeter than all ointments.' With these words in her ear, that holy one gave up her spirit into the hands of her Son.

What happens? Nature, I conjecture, is stirred to its depths, strange sounds and voices are heard, and the swelling hymns of angels who precede, accompany, and follow her. Some constitute the guard of honour to that undefiled and immaculate ({~GREEK SMALL LETTER PI U+03c0~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA U+03b1~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER NU U+03bd~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA U+03b1~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER GAMMA U+03b3~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH TONOS U+03af~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA WITH YPOGEGRAMMENI U+1fb3~}) soul on its way to heaven until the queen reaches the divine throne. Others surrounding the sacred and divine body proclaim God's Mother in angelic harmony. What of those who watched by the most holy and immaculate ({~GREEK SMALL LETTER PI U+03c0~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA U+03b1~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER NU U+03bd~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA U+03b1~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER GAMMA U+03b3~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH TONOS U+03af~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA WITH YPOGEGRAMMENI U+1ff3~}) body? In loving reverence and with tears of joy they gathered round the blessed and divine tabernacle, embracing every member, and were filled with holiness and thanksgiving. Then illnesses were cured, and demons were put to flight and banished to the regions of darkness. The air and atmosphere and heavens were sanctified by her passage through them, the earth by the burial of her body. Nor was water deprived of a blessing. She was washed in pure water. It did not cleanse her, but was rather itself sanctified. Then, hearing was given to the deaf, the lame recovered their feet, and the blind their sight. Sinners who approached with faith blotted out the handwriting against them. Then the holy body is wrapped in a snow-white winding-sheet, and the queen is again laid upon her bed. Then follow lights and incense and hymns, and angels singing as befits the solemnity; apostles and patriarchs acclaiming her in inspired song.

When the Ark of God, departing from Mount Sion for the heavenly country, was borne on the shoulders of the Apostles, it was placed on the way in the tomb. First it was taken through the city, as a bride dazzling with spiritual radiance, and then carried to the sacred place of Gethsemane, angels overshadowing it with their wings, going before, accompanying, and following it, together with the whole assembly of the Church. King Solomon compelled all the elders of Israel in Sion to bear the ark of the covenant of the Lord from the city of David, that is Sion, to rest in the temple of the Lord, which he had built, and the priests took the ark and the tabernacle of the testimony, and the priests and levites raised it. And the king and all the people sacrificed numberless oxen and sheep before the ark. And the priests carried in the ark of the testimony of God into its place, into the Holy of Holies, beneath the wings of the cherubim. So is it now with the dwelling-place of the true ark, no longer of the testimony, but the very substance of God the Word. The new Solomon, the Prince of peace, the Creator of all things in the heavens and on the earth, assembled together to-day the supporters of the new covenant, that is the Apostles, with all the people of the saints in Jerusalem, brought in her soul through angels to the true Holy of Holies, under the wings of the four living creatures, and set her on His throne within the veil, where Christ Himself had preceded her. Her body the while is borne by the Apostles' hands, the King of Kings covering her with the splendour of His invisible Godhead, the whole assembly of the saints preceding her, with sacred song and sacrifice of praise until through the tomb it was placed in the delights of Eden, the heavenly tabernacles.

Perchance, Jews also were there, if any, not too reprobate were to be found. It will not be beside the mark to mention here a thing that is asserted by many. It is said that when those, who were carrying the blessed body of God's Mother, had reached the descent of the opposite mountains, a certain Jew, the slave of sin, and pledged by his folly, imitated the servant of Caiphas, who struck the divine Face of Christ our Lord and Master, and made himself the devil's instrument. Full of wicked passion and malice, he rushed at that most divine tabernacle, which angels approached with fear, and impiously dragged the bier with both his hands to the ground. This was prompted by the envy of the arch enemy, but his labours were in vain, and he reaped a severe and fitting reminder of his deed. It is said that he lost the use of his hands, which had perpetrated his malicious deed, until faith moved him to repentance. The bearers were standing near. The wretched man placed his hands on the wondrous and life-giving tabernacle, and they again became sound. Circumstances had made him wise, as often happens. But let us return to our subject.

Then they reached the most sacred Gethsemane, and once more there were embracings and prayers and panegyrics, hymns and tears, poured forth by sorrowful and loving hearts. They mingled a flood of weeping and sweating.[43] And thus the immaculate ({~GREEK SMALL LETTER PI U+03c0~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA U+03b1~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER NU U+03bd~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA WITH TONOS U+03ac~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER GAMMA U+03b3~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA U+03b9~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON U+03bf~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER NU U+03bd~}) body was laid in the tomb. Then it was assumed after three days to the heavenly mansions. The bosom of the earth was no fitting receptacle for the Lord's dwelling-place, the living source of cleansing water, the corn of heavenly bread, the sacred vine of divine wine, the evergreen and fruitful olive-branch of God's mercy. And just as the all holy body of God's Son, which was taken from her, rose from the dead on the third day, it followed that she should be snatched from the tomb, that the mother should be united to her Son; and as He had come down to her, so she should be raised up to Him, into the more perfect dwelling-place, heaven itself. It was meet that she, who had sheltered God the Word in her own womb, should inhabit the tabernacles of her Son. And as our Lord said it behoved Him to be concerned with His Father's business, so it behoved His mother that she should dwell in the courts of her Son, in the house of the Lord, and in the courts of the house of our God. If all those who rejoice dwell in Him, where must the cause itself of joy abide? It was fitting that the body of her, who preserved her virginity unsullied in her motherhood, should be kept from corruption even after death. She who nursed her Creator as an infant at her breast, had a right to be in the divine tabernacles. The place of the bride whom the Father had espoused, was in the heavenly courts. It was fitting that she who saw her Son die on the cross, and received in her heart the sword of pain which she had not felt in childbirth, should gaze upon Him seated next to the Father. The Mother of God had a right to the possession of her Son, and as handmaid and Mother of God to the worship of all creation. The inheritance of the parents ever passes to the children. Now, as a wise man said, the sources of sacred waters are above. The Son made all creation serve His Mother.

Let us then also keep solemn feast to-day to honour the joyful departure of God's Mother, not with flutes nor corybants, nor the orgies of Cybele, the mother of false gods, as they say, whom foolish people talk of as a fruitful mother of children, and truth as no mother at all. These are demons and false imaginings. They usurp what they are not by nature to impose upon human folly. For how can what is bodiless lead the wedded life?[44] How can that be god which, not being before, is present only after birth? That devils were bodiless is apparent to all, even to those who are intellectually blind. Homer somewhere testifies to the condition of the gods he honours:

They eat not barley, and drink not ruddy wine,
So they are bloodless and are called immortal.

They eat not bread, he says, neither do they drink fiery wine. On this account they are anaemic, that is, without blood, and are called immortals. He truly and appropriately says, 'are called.' They are called immortals. They are not that which they are called. They died the death of wickedness. Now we worship God, not God beginning His being, but who always was and is above all cause and argument or created mind or nature. We honour and reverence the Mother of God, not ascribing to her the eternal generation of His Godhead. For the generation of God the Word was not in time, and was co-eternal with the Father. We acknowledge a second generation in His spontaneous taking flesh, and we see and know the cause of this. He who is without beginning and without body takes flesh for us as one of ourselves. And taking flesh of this sacred Virgin, He is born without man, remaining Himself perfect God, and becoming perfect man, perfect God in His flesh, and perfect Man in His Godhead. Thus, recognising God's Mother in this Virgin, we celebrate her falling asleep, not proclaiming her as God--far be from us these heathen fables--since we are announcing her death, but recognising her as the Mother of the Incarnate God.

O people of Christ, let us acclaim her to-day in sacred song, acknowledge our own good fortune and proclaim it. Let us honour her in nocturnal vigil; let us delight in her purity of soul and body, for she next to God surpasses all in purity. It is natural for similar things to glory in each other. Let us show our love for her by compassion and kindness towards the poor. For if mercy is the best worship of God, who will refuse to show His Mother devotion in the same way? She opened to us the unspeakable abyss of God's love for us. Through her the old enmity against the Creator is destroyed. Through her our reconciliation with Him is strengthened, peace and grace are given to us, men are the companions of angels, and we, who were in dishonour, are made the children of God. From her we have plucked the fruit of life. From her we have received the seed of immortality. She is the channel of all our goods. In her God was man and man was God. What more marvellous or more blessed? I approach the subject in fear and trembling. With Mary, the prophetess, O youthful souls, let us sound our musical instruments, mortifying our members on earth, for this is spiritual music. Let our souls rejoice in the Ark of God, and the walls of Jericho will yield, I mean the fortresses of the enemy. Let us dance in spirit with David; to-day the Ark of God is at rest. With Gabriel, the great archangel, let us exclaim, 'Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Hail, inexhaustible ocean of grace. Hail, sole refuge in grief. Hail, cure of hearts. Hail, through whom death is expelled and life is installed.'

And you I will speak to as if living, most sacred of tombs, after the life-giving tomb of our Lord, which is the source of the resurrection. Where is the pure gold which apostolic hands confided to you? Where is the inexhaustible treasure? Where the precious receptacle of God? Where is the living table? Where the new book in which the incomprehensible Word of God is written without hands? Where is the abyss of grace and the ocean of healing? Where is the life-giving fountain? Where is the sweet and loved body of God's Mother?

Why[45] do you seek in the tomb one who has been assumed to the heavenly courts? Why do you make me responsible for not keeping her? I was powerless to go against the divine commands. That sacred and holy body, leaving the winding-sheet behind, filled me full of sweet fragrance, sanctified me by its contact, and fulfilled the divine scheme, and was then assumed, angels and archangels and all the heavenly powers escorting it. Now angels surround me, and divine grace abounds in me. I am the physician of the sick. I am a perpetual source of health, and the terror of demons. I am a city of refuge for fugitives. Approach with faith and you will receive a sea of graces. Come, you of weak faith. All you that thirst, come to the waters in obedience to Isaias' commands, and you who have no money, come and buy for nothing. I call upon all with the Gospel invitation. Let him who longs for bodily or spiritual cure, forgiveness of sins, deliverance from misfortune, the possession of heaven, approach me with faith, and draw hence a strong and rich stream of grace. Just as the action of one and the same water acts differently on the earth, air, and sun, according to the nature of each, producing wine in the vine and oil in the olive-tree, so does one and the same grace profit each person according to his needs. I do not possess grace on my own account. A tomb given up to corruption, an object of sorrow and dejection, I receive a precious ointment, and am impregnated with it, and this sweet fragrance alters my condition whilst it lasts. Truly, divine graces flow where they will. I have sheltered the source of joy, and I have become rich in its perennial fountain.[46]

What shall we answer the tomb? You have indeed rich and abiding grace, but divine power is not restricted by place, neither is the Mother of God's working. If it were confined to the tomb alone, few would be the richer. Now it is freely distributed in all parts of the world. Let us then make our memory serve as a storehouse of God's Mother. How shall this be? She is a virgin and a lover of virginity. She is pure and a lover of purity. If we purify our mind with the body, we shall possess her grace. She shuns all impurity and impure passions. She has a horror of intemperance, and a special hatred for fornication. She turns from its allurements as from the progeny of serpents ... She looks upon all sin as death-inflicting, rejoicing in all good. Contraries are cured by contraries. She delights in fasting and continence and spiritual canticles, in purity, virginity, and wisdom. With these she is ever at peace, and takes them to her heart. She embraces peace and a meek spirit, and love, mercy, and humility as her children. In a word, she grieves over every sin, and is glad at all goodness as if it were her own. If we turn away from our former sins in all earnestness and love goodness with all our hearts, and make it our constant companion, she will frequently visit her servants, bringing all blessings with her, Christ her Son, the King and Lord who reigns in our hearts. To Him be glory, praise, honour, power, and magnificence, with the eternal Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever.

SERMON III. ON THE ASSUMPTION ({~GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA U+03ba~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON U+03bf~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH TONOS U+03af~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER MU U+03bc~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ETA U+03b7~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER SIGMA U+03c3~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA U+03b9~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA U+03c2~}).

_Lovers_ are wont to speak of what they love, and to let their fancy run on it by day and night. Let no one therefore blame me, if I add a third tribute to the Mother of God, on her triumphant departure. I am not profiting her, but myself and you who are here present, putting before you a spiritual seasoning and refreshment in keeping with this holy night. We are suffering, as you see, from scarcity of eatables. Therefore I am extemporising a repast, which, if not very costly nor worthy of the occasion, will certainly be sufficient to still hunger. She does not need our praise. It is we who need her glory. How indeed can glory be glorified, or the source of light be enlightened? We are weaving a crown for ourselves in the doing. 'I live,' the Lord says, 'and I will glorify those who glorify Me.' Wine is truly pleasant to drink, and bread to eat. The one rejoices, the other strengthens the heart of man. But what is sweeter than the Mother of my God? She has taken my mind captive, and held my tongue in bondage. I think of her by day and night. She, the Mother of the Word, supplies my words. The fruit of sterility makes sterile minds fruitful. We keep to-day the feast of her blessed and divine transit from this world. Let us then climb up the mystical mountain, where beyond the reach of worldly things, passing through the obscurity of storm, we stand in the divine light and may give praise to Almighty power. How does He, who dwells in the splendour of His glory, descend into the Virgin's womb without leaving the bosom of the Father? How is He conceived in the flesh, and does He spontaneously suffer, and suffer unto death, in that material body, gaining immortality through corruptibility? ({~GREEK SMALL LETTER PHI U+03c6~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER THETA U+03b8~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON U+03bf~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO U+03c1~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA WITH PERISPOMENI AND YPOGEGRAMMENI U+1fb7~} {~GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA U+03ba~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU U+03c4~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ETA U+03b7~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER SIGMA U+03c3~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA WITH TONOS U+03ac~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER MU U+03bc~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON U+03b5~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER NU U+03bd~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON U+03bf~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA U+03c2~} {~GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU U+03c4~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON WITH VARIA U+1f78~} {~GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA WITH PSILI AND OXIA U+1f04~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER PHI U+03c6~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER THETA U+03b8~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA U+03b1~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO U+03c1~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU U+03c4~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON U+03bf~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER NU U+03bd~}). And, again, ascending to the Father, He drew His Mother, according to the flesh, to His own Father, assuming into the heavenly country her who was heaven on earth.

To-day the living ladder, through whom the Most High descended and was seen on earth, and conversed with men, was assumed into heaven by death. To-day the heavenly table, she, who contained the bread of life, the fire of the Godhead, without knowing man, was assumed from earth to heaven, and the gates of heaven opened wide to receive the gate of God from the East. To-day the living city of God is transferred from the earthly to the heavenly Jerusalem, and she, who, conceived her first-born and only Son, the first-born of all creation, the only begotten of the Father, rests in the Church of the first-born: the true and living Ark of the Lord is taken to the peace of her Son. The gates of heaven are opened to receive the receptacle of God, who, bringing forth the tree of life, destroyed Eve's disobedience and Adam's penalty of death. And Christ, the cause of all life, receives the chosen mirror, the mountain from which the stone without hands filled the whole earth. She, who brought about the Word's divine Incarnation, rests in her glorious tomb as in a bridal-chamber, whence she goes to the heavenly bridals, to share in the kingdom of her Son and God, leaving her tomb as a place of rest for those on earth. Is her tomb indeed a resting-place? Yes, more famous than any other, not shining with gold, or silver, or precious stones, nor covered with silken, golden, or purple adornments, but with the divine radiance of the Holy Spirit. The angelic state is not for lovers of this world, but the wondrous life of the blessed is for the servants of the Spirit, and passing to God is better and sweeter than any other life. This tomb is fairer than Eden. And that I may not speak of the enemy's deceit, in the one; of his, so to say, clever counsel, his envy and covetousness, of Eve's weakness and pliability, the bait, sure and tempting, which cheated her and her husband, their disobedience, exile, and death, not to speak of these things so as not to turn our feast into sorrow, _this_ grave gave up the mortal body it contained to the heavenly country. Eve became the mother of the human family, and is not man made after the divine image, convicted by her condemnation; 'earth thou art, and unto earth thou shalt return.' This tomb is more precious than the tabernacle of old, receiving the real and life-giving receptacle of the Lord, the heavenly table, not the loaves of proposition, but of heaven, not material fire, but her who contained the pure fire of the Godhead. This tomb is holier than the ark of Moses, blessed not with types and shadows, but the truth itself. It showed forth the pure and golden urn, containing the heavenly manna, the living tablet, receiving the Incarnate Word of God from the impress of the Holy Spirit, the golden censer of the supersubstantial word. It showed forth her who conceived the divine fire embalming all creation.

Let demons take to flight, and the thrice miserable Nestorians perish as the Egyptians of old, and their ruler Pharao, the younger, a cruel devastator. They were swallowed up in the abyss of blasphemy. Let us who are saved with dry feet, crossing the bitter waters of impiety, raise our voices to the Mother of God at her departure. Let Mary, personifying the Church, lead the joyful strain. Let the maidens of the spiritual Jerusalem go out in singing choirs. Let kings and judges, with rulers, youths, and virgins, young and old, proclaim the Mother of God, and all peoples and nations in their different ways and tongues, sing a new canticle. Let the air resound with praise and instrument, and the sun gladden this day of salvation. Rejoice, O heavens, and may the clouds rain justice. Be glad, O divine apostles, the chosen ones of God's flock, who seem to reach the highest visions, as lofty mountain tops. And you God's sheep, and His holy people, the flock of the Church, who look to the high mountains of perfection, be sad, for the fountain of life, God's Mother, is dead. It was necessary that what was made of earth should return to earth, and thus be assumed to heaven. It was fitting that the earthly tenement should be cast off, as gold is purified, so that the flesh in death might become pure and immortal, and rise in shining immortality from the tomb.

To-day she begins her second life through Him who was the cause of her first being. She gave a beginning, I mean, the life of the body, to Him who had no beginning in time, although the Father was the cause of His divine existence. Rejoice holy and divine Mount Sion, in which reposes the living divine mountain, the new Bethel, with its grace, human nature united with the Godhead. From thee her Son ascended to heaven as from the olives. Let the world-embracing cloud be prepared and the winds gather the apostles to Mount Sion from the ends of the earth. Who are these who soar up as clouds and eagles to the cause of all resurrection, ministering to the Mother of God? Who is she who rises resplendent, all pure, and bright as the sun? Let the spiritual lyres sing to her, the apostolic tongues. Let grave theologians raise their voices in praise, Hierotheus, the vessel of election, in whom the Holy Spirit abides, knowing and teaching divine things by the divine indwelling. Let him be wrapt out of the body and join willingly in the joyful hymn. Let all nations clap their hands and praise the Mother of God. Let angels minister to her body. Follow your Queen, O daughters of Jerusalem, and, together with her virgins in the spirit, approach your Bridegroom in order to sit at His right hand. Make haste, Lord, to give Thy Mother the welcome which is her due. Stretch out Thy divine hands. Receive Thy Mother's soul into the Father's hands unto which Thou didst commend Thy spirit on the Cross. Speak sweet words to her: 'Come, my beloved, whose purity is more dazzling than the sun, thou gavest me of thy own, receive now what is mine. Come, my Mother, to thy Son, reign with Him who was poor with thee.' Depart, O Queen, depart, not as Moses did who went up to die. Die rather that thou mayest ascend. Give up thy soul into the hands of thy Son. Return earth to the earth, it will be no obstacle. Lift up your eyes, O people of God. See in Sion the Ark of the Lord God of powers, and the apostles standing by it, burying the life-giving body which received our Lord. Invisible angels are all around in lowly reverence doing homage to the Mother of their Lord. The Lord Himself is there, who is present everywhere, and filling all things, the universal Being, not in place. He is the Author and Creator of all things. Behold the Virgin, the daughter of Adam and Mother of God; through Adam she gives her body to the earth, her soul to her Son above in the heavenly courts. Let the holy city be sanctified, and rejoice in eternal praise. Let angels precede the divine tabernacle on its passage, and prepare the tomb. Let the radiance of the spirit adorn it. Let sweet ointment be made ready and poured over the pure and undefiled body. Let a clear stream of grace flow from grace in its source. Let the earth be sanctified by contact with that body. Let the air rejoice at the Assumption. Let gentle breezes waft grace. Let all nature keep the feast of the Mother of God's Assumption. May youthful bands applaud and eloquent tongues acclaim her, and wise hearts ponder on the wonder, priests hoary with age gather strength at the sight. Let all creation emulate heaven, even so the true measure of rejoicing would not be reached.

Come, let us depart with her. Come, let us descend to that tomb with all our heart's desire. Let us draw round that most sacred bed and sing the sweet words, 'Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Hail, predestined Mother of God. Hail, thou chosen one in the design of God from all eternity, most sacred hope of earth, resting-place of divine fire, holiest delight of the Spirit, fountain of living water, paradise of the tree of life, divine vine-branch, bringing forth soul-sustaining nectar and ambrosia. Full river of spiritual graces, fertile land of the divine pastures, rose of purity, with the sweet fragrance of grace, lily of the royal robe, pure Mother of the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, token of our redemption, handmaid and Mother, surpassing angelic powers.' Come, let us stand round that pure tomb and draw grace to our hearts. Let us raise the ever-virginal body with spiritual arms, and go with her into the grave to die with her. Let us renounce our passions, and live with her in purity, listening to the divine canticles of angels in the heavenly courts. Let us go in adoring, and learn the wondrous mystery by which she is assumed to heaven, to be with her Son, higher than all the angelic choirs. No one stands between Son and Mother. This, O Mother of God, is my third sermon on thy departure, in lowly reverence to the Holy Trinity to whom thou didst minister, the goodness of the Father, the power of the Spirit, receiving the Uncreated Word, the Almighty Wisdom and Power of God. Accept, then, my good-will, which is greater than my capacity, and give us salvation. Heal our passions, cure our diseases, help us out of our difficulties, make our lives peaceful, send us the illumination of the Spirit. Inflame us with the desire of thy Son. Render us pleasing to Him, so that we may enjoy happiness with Him, seeing thee resplendent with thy Son's glory, rejoicing for ever, keeping feast in the Church with those who worthily celebrate Him who worked our salvation through thee, Christ the Son of God, and our God. To Him be glory and majesty, with the uncreated Father and the all-holy and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever, through the endless ages of eternity. Amen.

INDEX

Abraham and sons of Emmor, 9; image of God, 123. Adam and Eve addressing Our Lady, 183.

Ambrose of Milan, St, on Incarnation, 136.

Amphilochius, addressed by St Basil, 34.

Angarus, King of Edessa, 33.

Angelic nature not taken by God, 102.

Anne, St, her name, 156.

Ark of God, the true, 168, 188; at rest, 195.

Assumption of Our Lady, 202, 207, 209, 210.

Athanasius, Archbishop of Antioch, 141.

Athanasius, St, his testimony, 120.

Augustine, St, _de Civitate Dei,_ 57.

Babylon, three children in, 132.

Baltasar, impiety of, 110.

Basil, St, on Tradition, 28; on St Gordion, 37; on Forty Martyrs, 117.

Berenice of Paneada, 124.

Body of Christ in Holy Eucharist, 102.

Brazen Serpent, image of the Cross, 50.

Burial of Our Lady, 190, 191, 208.

Burning bush, image of Our Lady, 79.

Cherubim, image of, 14.

Chrysostom, St John, his testimony, 83, 118, 121; on the Machabees, 137; to Julian the Apostate, 138.

Church assailed by enemies, 1.

Constantine, zeal for images, 126.

Cross, veneration of, 78, 130, 134.

Cyril of Alexandria, St, 121.

Cyril of Jerusalem, 137; to Julian the Apostate, 138.

Daniel and David, worship of, 13.

Denis the Areopagite, 10; on images, 31, 96.

Denis, St, of Athens, 116.

Deuteronomy, testimony of, 6, 63.

Divine things clothed in form, 99.

Egyptians, their burial, 29.

Elias taken to heaven, 166.

Eliseus, a wonder-worker, 45.

Epiphanius, St, on images, 29, 77.

Eupraxia, St, 51.

Ezechiel, his vision, 46, 128, 162.

Forty martyrs, 38, 40, 117.

Francis de Sales, St, on the Cross, 47.

Gabriel, St, sent to Mary, 157.

Godhead, not to be represented, 5, 8, 9, 14, 15, 62, 67, 98. Gregory of Nazianzen, St, 122.

Gregory of Nyssa, St, 41.

Holy places, 109; things, 110.

Homer, on the gods, 193.

Idolatry of Israelites, 80.

Idol worship of heathens, 77.

Images, dishonour shown to, 68, 85; worship of, 74, 75, 89; definition of, 92; kinds, 93, 94, 95, 97, 106, 133; of saints, a fruitful worship, 112.

Invisible things through visible, 11.

Isaias, his vision of God, 100; virgin foretold by, 162.

Jacob, his worship, 9, 13, 131; typical, 27; receiving Joseph's cloak, 132; ladder of, 161.

Jews, their proneness to idolatry, 8.

Jezabel, punishment of, 70.

Joachim, St, 154.

Jordan, stones of, 20, 97.

Joseph, worshipped by brothers, 14.

Josue, worshipped an angel, 101.

King's image, value of, 136; kings not legislators in the Church, 52, 69, 76.

Latreia, worship of, 7; given to God alone, 64, 104, 107.

Law, image of the future, 82, 140; observances of, 18; images of, 46, 49, 81, 88; superseded by grace, 73.

Leo of Neapolis, on the Cross, 43.

Matter not despicable, 17, 71, 72; consecrated, 127.

Mary of Egypt, St, praying to Our Lady, 51, 143, 145.

Maximus, St, his testimony, 84.

Methodius, St, on images, 145.

Moses, testimony of, 53, 60, 65; worships Jethor, 134.

Mother of God, 12; images of, 97; worship of, 54, 91; death of, 164, 186; her Assumption, 166, 167, 173, 176; the city of God, 148; her praises, 150; her birth, 150; her presentation, 156; her grace, 158; her virginity, 159, 173; a spiritual Eden, 160; her intercession, what, 169; the new Eden, 174; heaven, 175; her death, painless, 177; eye-witnesses of, 181; saint of saints, 178; her right to worship of all, 192; heavenly bridals of, 203; fountain of life, 206.

Our Lord's human birth, 194.

Persecutors of saints punished, 70.

Peter, St, chief of apostles, 26.

Pharao worshipped by Jacob, 9.

Saints, why honoured, 21, 23, 24; their shadow, 113; our worship of, 108.

Scripture, true interpretation of, 66.

Severianus, on the Cross, 139.

Simon Stylites, St, venerated in Rome, 119.

Sion, what, 179

Solomon and the temple, 22, 45, 129.

Spiritual conceptions through corporeal things, 90.

Tomb of Our Lady, 196, 197, 205, 210; fairer than Eden, 204.

Tradition, ancient, 114; unwritten, 75.

Types, honourable, 142.

Worship, false, 56, 57, 58; kinds of, 104, 105, 106, 108, 111.

[1] {~GREEK SMALL LETTER THETA U+03b8~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON
U+03b5~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON U+03bf~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER
PI U+03c0~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA WITH TONOS U+03ac~}{~GREEK
SMALL LETTER TAU U+03c4~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA
U+03c9~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO U+03c1~}, not easily rendered in
English.

[2] {~GREEK CAPITAL LETTER KAPPA U+039a~}a{~GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA
WITH VARIA U+1f76~} {~GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU U+03c4~}{~GREEK SMALL
LETTER OMICRON U+03bf~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON WITH
PERISPOMENI U+1fe6~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU U+03c4~}{~GREEK SMALL
LETTER OMICRON U+03bf~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER NU U+03bd~} {~GREEK
SMALL LETTER OMEGA WITH DASIA AND OXIA U+1f65~}{~GREEK SMALL
LETTER SIGMA U+03c3~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER PI U+03c0~}{~GREEK SMALL
LETTER EPSILON U+03b5~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO U+03c1~} {~GREEK
SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH DASIA AND OXIA U+1f35~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER
PI U+03c0~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER PI U+03c0~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER
OMICRON U+03bf~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER NU U+03bd~} {~GREEK SMALL
LETTER EPSILON U+03b5~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON WITH PSILI
U+1f50~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER CHI U+03c7~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER
ALPHA WITH PSILI U+1f00~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA
U+03bb~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA U+03b9~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER NU
U+03bd~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON U+03bf~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER
NU U+03bd~}, {~GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU U+03c4~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER
ETA WITH PERISPOMENI U+1fc6~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA
U+03c2~} {~GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA WITH PSILI U+1f00~}{~GREEK
SMALL LETTER PHI U+03c6~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON
U+03b5~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU U+03c4~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ETA
U+03b7~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO U+03c1~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA
WITH TONOS U+03af~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA U+03b1~}{~GREEK
SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA U+03c2~} {~GREEK SMALL LETTER PI
U+03c0~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA U+03b1~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER
RHO U+03c1~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA WITH TONOS U+03ce~}{~GREEK
SMALL LETTER RHO U+03c1~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER MU U+03bc~}{~GREEK
SMALL LETTER ETA U+03b7~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER SIGMA
U+03c3~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA U+03b1~}.

[3] {~GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA WITH TONOS U+03ac~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER
PI U+03c0~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON U+03b5~}{~GREEK SMALL
LETTER RHO U+03c1~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH TONOS
U+03af~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER GAMMA U+03b3~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER
ALPHA U+03b1~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER PI U+03c0~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER
TAU U+03c4~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON U+03bf~}{~GREEK SMALL
LETTER FINAL SIGMA U+03c2~}, _i.e.,_ not in place.

[4] {~GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA WITH PSILI U+1f00~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER
LAMDA U+03bb~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER LAMDA U+03bb~}{~GREEK SMALL
LETTER ALPHA U+03b1~} {~GREEK SMALL LETTER MU U+03bc~}{~GREEK
SMALL LETTER ETA U+03b7~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER NU U+03bd~} {~GREEK
SMALL LETTER KAPPA U+03ba~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA
U+03b1~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH TONOS U+03af~} {~GREEK
SMALL LETTER EPSILON WITH PSILI U+1f10~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER PI
U+03c0~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH VARIA U+1f76~} {~GREEK
SMALL LETTER TAU U+03c4~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON WITH VARIA
U+1f78~} {~GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA WITH PSILI AND OXIA
U+1f04~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA U+03ba~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER
RHO U+03c1~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON U+03bf~}{~GREEK SMALL
LETTER NU U+03bd~} {~GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU U+03c4~}{~GREEK SMALL
LETTER ETA WITH PERISPOMENI U+1fc6~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL
SIGMA U+03c2~} {~GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO WITH DASIA U+1fe5~}{~GREEK
SMALL LETTER ALPHA WITH TONOS U+03ac~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER BETA
U+03b2~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER DELTA U+03b4~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER
OMICRON U+03bf~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON U+03c5~}.

[5] {~GREEK CAPITAL LETTER TAU U+03a4~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ETA WITH
VARIA U+1f74~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER NU U+03bd~} {~GREEK SMALL
LETTER ALPHA WITH DASIA U+1f01~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER GAMMA
U+03b3~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA U+03b9~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER
ALPHA U+03b1~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER NU U+03bd~} {~GREEK SMALL
LETTER PI U+03c0~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA U+03b1~}{~GREEK SMALL
LETTER RHO U+03c1~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER THETA U+03b8~}{~GREEK
SMALL LETTER EPSILON WITH TONOS U+03ad~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER NU
U+03bd~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON U+03bf~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER
NU U+03bd~} {~GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA U+03ba~}{~GREEK SMALL
LETTER ALPHA U+03b1~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH TONOS U+03af~}
{~GREEK SMALL LETTER THETA U+03b8~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON
U+03b5~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON U+03bf~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER
TAU U+03c4~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON WITH TONOS
U+03cc~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA U+03ba~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER
OMICRON U+03bf~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER NU U+03bd~}.

[6] A reference to the question treated by St Thomas after St John
Damascene: _utrum angelus sit in loco._

[7] {~GREEK SMALL LETTER DELTA U+03b4~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ETA WITH
TONOS U+03ae~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER SIGMA U+03c3~}{~GREEK SMALL
LETTER ALPHA U+03b1~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA U+03c2~}
{~GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU U+03c4~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON WITH
VARIA U+1f78~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER NU U+03bd~} {~GREEK SMALL
LETTER IOTA WITH TONOS U+03af~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER SIGMA
U+03c3~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER CHI U+03c7~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER
UPSILON U+03c5~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO U+03c1~}{~GREEK SMALL
LETTER OMICRON WITH VARIA U+1f78~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER NU
U+03bd~}.

[8] {~GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU U+03c4~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ETA
U+03b7~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER NU U+03bd~} {~GREEK SMALL LETTER
KAPPA U+03ba~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON U+03bf~}{~GREEK SMALL
LETTER RHO U+03c1~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON U+03c5~}{~GREEK
SMALL LETTER PHI U+03c6~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA
U+03b1~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH TONOS U+03af~}{~GREEK SMALL
LETTER ALPHA U+03b1~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER NU U+03bd~} {~GREEK
SMALL LETTER ALPHA U+03b1~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA
U+03ba~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO U+03c1~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER
OMICRON U+03bf~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU U+03c4~}{~GREEK SMALL
LETTER ETA U+03b7~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU U+03c4~}{~GREEK SMALL
LETTER ALPHA U+03b1~} {~GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU U+03c4~}{~GREEK
SMALL LETTER OMEGA WITH PERISPOMENI U+1ff6~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER
NU U+03bd~} {~GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA WITH PSILI U+1f00~}{~GREEK
SMALL LETTER PI U+03c0~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON WITH TONOS
U+03cc~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER SIGMA U+03c3~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER
TAU U+03c4~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON U+03bf~}{~GREEK SMALL
LETTER LAMDA U+03bb~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA U+03c9~}{~GREEK
SMALL LETTER NU U+03bd~}.

[9] {~GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU U+03c4~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA
U+03b1~} {~GREEK SMALL LETTER THETA U+03b8~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER
EPSILON U+03b5~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA U+03b9~}{~GREEK SMALL
LETTER ALPHA U+03b1~} {~GREEK SMALL LETTER MU U+03bc~}{~GREEK
SMALL LETTER UPSILON U+03c5~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER SIGMA
U+03c3~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU U+03c4~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ETA
WITH TONOS U+03ae~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO U+03c1~}{~GREEK SMALL
LETTER IOTA U+03b9~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA U+03b1~}--the Mass.

[10] {~GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU U+03c4~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON
U+03b5~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU U+03c4~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU
U+03c4~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA U+03b9~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER XI
U+03be~}.

[11] {~GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU U+03c4~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ETA WITH
YPOGEGRAMMENI U+1fc3~} {~GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU U+03c4~}{~GREEK
SMALL LETTER OMICRON U+03bf~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON WITH
VARIA U+1f7a~} {~GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA U+03ba~}{~GREEK SMALL
LETTER UPSILON U+03c5~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO U+03c1~}{~GREEK
SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH TONOS U+03af~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON
U+03bf~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON U+03c5~} {~GREEK SMALL LETTER
PI U+03c0~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO U+03c1~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER
OMICRON WITH VARIA U+1f78~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA
U+03c2~} {~GREEK SMALL LETTER THETA U+03b8~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER
EPSILON U+03b5~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH TONOS
U+03af~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON U+03bf~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER
NU U+03bd~} {~GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON WITH PSILI
U+1f10~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA U+03ba~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER PI
U+03c0~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON U+03c5~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER
RHO U+03c1~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER SIGMA U+03c3~}{~GREEK SMALL
LETTER EPSILON U+03b5~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON
U+03c5~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER THETA U+03b8~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER
EPSILON WITH TONOS U+03ad~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER NU U+03bd~}{~GREEK
SMALL LETTER TAU U+03c4~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA U+03b1~}
{~GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON WITH PSILI AND OXIA U+1f14~}{~GREEK
SMALL LETTER RHO U+03c1~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA
U+03c9~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU U+03c4~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER
ALPHA U+03b1~} {~GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA WITH PSILI
U+1f00~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA U+03ba~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER
OMICRON U+03bf~}{~GREEK SMALL LETTER ETA WITH PERISPOMENI AND
YPOGEGRAMMENI U+1fc7~}.

[12] A short passage from St John Chrysostom, which follows, is omitted
on account of Editor's note: _locus hic mihi non occurrit apud
Chrysostomum in Epistolam ad Hebraeos._

[13] Compare--

Ce n'est ni la pierre ni le bois
Que le catholique adore;
Mais c'est le Roi qui mort en croix
De Son Sang la croix honore.

-- Vie de St Frangois de Sales, par M. Hamond.

[14] A testimony quoted from Sophronius is here suppressed.

[15] See St Augustine, de Civitate Dei: Nemo igitur quaerat efficientem
causam malae voluntatis; non enim est efficiens, sed deficiens,
quia nec illa effectio sed defectio (xii. c. vii).